EMA

EMA

Report highlights the success of pay to learn scheme

Recent evidence shows Education Maintenance Allowances (EMA) have succeeded in increasing the number of young people staying on in learning at 16 and the number of learners achieving qualifications at 19.

In fact, figures from 2005/06 saw the highest proportion of 16-year-olds in learning since 1994, with 89.1 per cent[i][i] of the cohort participating in some form of learning. This equates to 1.5 million young people in further education, which is the highest figure ever recorded[ii][ii]. Whilst it is not possible to say that all this increase is attributable to EMA, this has been one of the most important initiatives aimed at increasing participation during this time.

EMA was piloted in 1999 and launched across England in 2004. Two independent reports were commissioned by the LSC; reports by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and RCU suggest that EMA has had important impacts on both participation post-16 and attainment at 19.

The research by RCU found that in its first year of national rollout, EMA encouraged an additional 18,500 young people to participate in further education who would not have done so without the financial support and incentive.

The analysis by IFS suggests that young people are going on to achieve the qualifications required to succeed in life. The reports show that for those learners who received EMA the percentage achieving Level 2 qualifications increased by around 6 percentage points, with specific improvement highlighted among ethnic minority groups[iii][iii].

Additionally, young people in disadvantaged areas are more likely to stay on and achieve more as a result of EMA[iv][iv]. EMA was introduced to combat the financial barriers to learning – proving that resources are being targeted where they are most needed.

Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, said:

“EMA is enabling young people across England to continue learning after their GCSEs. It is hugely encouraging to see the positive impact EMA has already had, providing more young people with the chance to stay on in education and training so that they have more opportunity of getting the job they want in future.”

Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support at the Learning and Skills Council, said:

“This research proves that EMA is working – young people who would otherwise have been unable to remain in learning are staying on, and as a result, attainment is rising across the board. EMA is making a real difference to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged young people and is helping to create a level playing field for the skilled employees of tomorrow.

“Staying on in learning at 16 makes an overwhelming difference to the futures of young people. Those who leave learning at 16 or earlier and without the minimum set of qualifications (at least five A*-C GCSEs or the vocational equivalent) will be more likely to face a life of unemployment and social exclusion. EMA is making a significant contribution towards combating this.”